Miike Snow - iii

Miike Snow

iii

2016

Spotify

You really cannot deny that Miike Snow is at least partially responsible for the explosion in electropop in recent years. The music wouldn't be as relevant, polished or quite possibly even existed if it wasn't for what Miike Snow did back in 2009. But, with their place in the world, both financially and career wise is firmly secured the band allows Miike Snow to be a project of experimentation rather than just forcing out albums. This particular record was written and recorded over a two year period as the band focused on either solo projects or production duties. However there is nothing that does not feel tight here, this could have been done in a day or five years and you would not be the wiser. One thing that Miike Snow does incredibly well on iii is nod to the past without falling face first into it. The synths are there, the 80s pop vibe still exists but this record is completely modern. The focus of this record is on the hooks, each track works almost like a hip hop song with the hook taking center stage and never letting it go. "Heart Is Full" is the best example of this as it keeps the hook going and going throughout the song and really makes it the focus. This is quite the interesting way to approach songwriting and electropop in general. 

The lead single "Genghis Khan" is probably the best track on the record and will undoubtedly be on many playlists in the near future, but everything is not completely rosy when it comes to iii. The same thing that makes the hooks super infectious is also the thing that becomes a bit grading. There really is a lack of diversity in sound on iii and not in the way they stick to a genre but more so in the way everything just sounds very very Miike Snow-ish. You are begging for something different by the end and you get it with the collaboration with Run the Jewels, but this bonus track, though quite a good version of "Heart Is Full", feels more like an afterthought more than anything else. The production on iii as expected is really well done, with everything tuned just to a certain level that hits you right in that pop soft spot. A decent record but do not expect iii to blow anyone away, not many surprises but the right amount of pop goodness to keep you satisfied. 

6.7 out of 10